of Drumkeeran returns a member
to Parliament; Hebden, who represents it, is about to accept the
Hundreds; Cashel owns the town."

"And if he does, sir, what signifies it to me?" broke in Lord Kilgoff;
"I have not the slightest influence over that gentleman's opinions.
He was rude enough to give me a very flat contradiction in the only
discussion we ever held together. I venture to assert, from what I have
seen of him, that any direction of his course in Parliament would be
totally impossible. He is self-willed, obstinate, and opinionated."

"Granted, my Lord; he is the very calibre to run through his own, and
ruin any other man's fortune."

"Well, sir, and this is the person whose services you think it worth my
while obtaining?"

"I never said so, my Lord."

"What! did n't I hear you this moment--"

"No, you heard me say that the borough is his, but you never heard me
say that he ought to be its member. For that honor I had another in
my eye,--one over whom your Lordship's influence has never yet been
doubted."

"Whom do you mean?"

"Tom Linton, my Lord; a very unworthy, but a most devoted partisan of
your Lordship's."

"What! Tom--_you_ in Parliament?"

"Even so, my Lord," said Linton, for once in his life--perhaps, the only
time--that a flash of angry meaning colored his calm features. "I
am sorry that the notion should so palpably wake your Lordship's
amazement."

"No--no--no! I did n't mean that. I was only surprised. In fact, you
took me unawares--we were talking of Cashel."

"Precisely, my Lord; we were discussing the probable career of a person
so eminently gifted with statesmanlike qualities; then, how could I
possibly hope for patience when introducing to your notice abilities so
humble as my own?"

"But is it possible--is this practicable, Linton?"

"With your assistance it is certain. The influence of your Lordship's
rank would give such weight to your opinions, that if you were only to
say to him, 'Send Linton into Parliament as your member,' the thing is
done."

"I have my doubts."

"I have none whatever--I know the man well. He is dying to conform to
anything that he supposes to be the discipline of his class. Tell him he
ought, and he never resists."

"I have resolved on not paying this visit," said Kilgoff, after a brief
pause; "reasons of sufficient weight determined me."

"Oh, my Lord, pardon the freedom, but I must say that they had need be
strong reasons to weigh against al